Inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis, is prevalent in cats. Due to dietary factors, illnesses, or physical defects, most cats over the age of three develop gingivitis and dental problems. Gingivitis is more common in short-nosed breeds, such as Persians, due to dental malalignment.
Gum inflammation may be extremely painful and, if left untreated, can result in loss of teeth, bone inflammation, and germs enter the bloodstream through infected oral tissues. Other organs in a cat’s body can be harmed by a systemic bacterial infection. Both preventive and urgent treatment from animal medical center Virginia Beach VA can assist to lower the risks of gingivitis while also supporting your cat’s general health.
Gingivitis Symptoms
Gingivitis indications are most commonly connected with a cat’s mouth. The physical and behavioural aspects of the cat may show indicators of disease in more severe situations.
Bad smell and gum sensitivity, which makes the gums seem red or swollen, are the initial indicators of gingivitis in cats. Salivating can be a sign of mouth pain, but it can also be caused by other disorders, so it isn’t a sure sign of gingivitis.
A cat with painful gums or a dental infection may either avoid eating or chew with discomfort. It may spit out food or chew on one edge of its mouth exclusively. Naturally, if a cat refuses to eat, it will lose a lot of weight and become malnourished. Weight loss and behavioral changes might be signs of underlying health problems and should be checked up by a veterinarian.
Gingivitis can be caused by a variety of factors.
Plaque and bacteria accumulation are the most prevalent causes of gingivitis in cats.
Predisposing variables also include:
- Infectious or systemic disorders, such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency viral infection, and feline calicivirus, as well as autoimmune diseases
- Inadequate dental treatment
- Genetics
Teeth that are misaligned collect more plaque and tartar than teeth that are properly aligned.
Malalignment can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Extremely short-nosed varieties are prone to having their teeth misaligned. Overcrowding and misalignment are common because their jawbones are too tiny to fit the teeth.
Deciduous tooth retention: After the adult teeth have sprouted, some cats’ baby teeth can be retained, causing crowding.
Trauma or a congenital defect
Gingivitis in Cats: Diagnosis
You would most likely be the first to identify concerns with your cat’s dental health as a cat owner. Schedule a visit with your vet if you see any of the probable symptoms of gingivitis. To your doctor’s experienced eye, a basic oral exam will indicate the existence of gingivitis. Further diagnostic procedures may not be necessary if there is just minimal redness or irritation. If your veterinarian suspects an infection or more serious damage to the oral cavity, x-rays may be required to determine the extent of the condition.
Treatment
To avoid further disease progression, gingivitis is treated by eliminating deposited plaque and periodontal calculus, followed by extraction of loose or diseased teeth. The primary lines of therapy are usually routine dental hygiene and ongoing care. To tackle any chronic dental illness, clear plaque and tartar, and clean the tissues below the gum line, a professional dental brushing and dental x-rays should be performed under anaesthetic. In severe cases of gingivitis, antibiotics may be prescribed, as well as surgery to remove teeth or repair affected tissue.
After the dental cleaning, cats’ teeth should be cleaned on a regular basis. However, cats suffering from stomatitis may find brushing too painful. To reduce the agony of cats with stomatitis, their teeth are frequently extracted by a veterinarian at pet care Virginia Beach.
If your cat’s periodontitis is triggered by a systemic disease, your veterinarian will need to assess that condition in addition to the gingivitis to decide the best course of therapy.
While gingivitis is not infectious, the circumstances that cause it in one cat are likely to impact other cats in the family, thus all cats in the household should be inspected.